'Factivism'

Feb

2013

'Factivism'

'We’re here to try and infect you with this virtuous database virus, the one we call factivism. It’s not going to kill you; it could save countless lives.'

Bono has been speaking at TED2013, accepting the challenge to put 'the last 25 years of anti-poverty campaigning into 10 minutes'. His passion, he explained, was countering what Nelson Mandela called 'that most awful offense to humanity, extreme poverty'. How would he do it? With the facts. 'Exit the rock star. Enter the evidence-based activist - the 'factivist'.

Since 2000, eight million AIDS patients have been receiving retroviral drugs; malaria deaths have been cut by 75%; child mortality rate of kids under 5 is down by 2.65 million deaths a year. The number of people living in soul-crushing poverty declined from 43% in 1990 to 33% in 2000 to 21% by 2010. But if that's you, that's still too high.

'If you live on less than $1.25 a day, this is not just data. This is everything. If you’re a parent who wants the best for your kids, and I am, this rapid transition is a route out of despair and into hope.'

How can the positive trajectory continue ? Read more on the TED blog - we'll let you know when the video goes live.

Extreme poverty globally has been cut in half since 1990 - and could get to zero before 2030. Not a lot of people know that. That’s why Bono and ONE are getting the word out. The more people know the facts and act, the closer comes the zero zone. 'Smart aid along with trade, investment and transparency is a path out of extreme poverty.'

Get RSS

5 Comments

You must be a logged-in member to add comments. Sign In | Subscribe

andyval74 - 01 April, 2013

Thanks Bono

As always a great speech, thanks for telling the world, that we all are ONE, and that our actions affects everyone, and everything in this planet. Just want to explain my point with the Ancient Egypt topic, just for be fair. Because the Pharaon was not a tirany, he was in charge for keeping Egypt in balance and equality. The reason of the temples and pyrimids are because they believe in the great connection between the universe and the human life, so the people who design and built these monuments were completly agree. They were good people.

SneffelsClimber - 06 March, 2013

Thank you Bono!

The work you guys do in addition to being rock stars is one of the reasons I love U2. Anyone out there who would like to help a child in poverty, I mean actually sponsor, provide for, and get to know a child in another country, check out www.compassion.com. A wonderful organization.

Alma1 - 28 February, 2013

One word.

Bravo!

MarcoFabrizi - 28 February, 2013

respect for africa

hello bono! as always you make every event leading to the question of Africa! and so once again I give you my highest esteem for your person and as a political activist and obviously as a rock star! I can not wait to see you on stage with your friends! U2 FOREVER! VIVA ITALIA!!!!!

john raymond - 28 February, 2013

Thanks Bono

Thanks Bono for reminding us that we need to care for the least of these. Anything we can do to eradicate poverty will be profoundly just.

First < Previous 1 - 5 of 5 Comments Next > Last